Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-06-05
AS OTHERS SEE us.
A SOUTHERN EDITOR WRITES ABOUT
OUR CITY.
Ker Esreism in War and Ker conqrests
In Peace The Cenfede-
rate Home.

sf0ctTytStT NFlitS 10 uis paper HOin
this city as follows:
twenty-five years ago tho eyes OF the
world were upon this famous city. IL
was then the capital Of the Confederacy
ard the headquarters Of the military
and civil matters connected Herewith.
There is scarcely family IN Alabama
or the whole South not represented in
the armies which so heroically de-
Tended the approaches TO the be-
leagured city. Those familiar with its
streets then would scarcely recognize
thom row. The war period is
only remembered by reason Of the
close communion of those who par
ticipated in the bloody conflict
There is absolutely new city
as 20 buildings, handsome streets,
parks, drives, and other things which
go TO make happiness and prosperity in
q large community. But the same
spirit and principles live in the hearts
OF her people. In the mad pursuit for
gain they have not put behind them all
recollection of the times when the
youth and mature men OF the South
risked their lives and their fortunes for
the establishment OF separate gov
ernment No one seeks to discredit
the heroic men thus engaged or to Ca
ter to the utilitarian sentiment by con
trasting the new with the old South.
That is left to those who seek to better
their fortunes by implicitly casting n
slur upon those who created great
States. subdued the forests, overcdme
the savagCs, and laid the foundations
of government for the greatest people
who ever lived in any age or cline.
Richmond takes no stock in the "New
South when the term is used to the
disadvantage OF the cold South"
In business sense, the great fire
which destroyed so much property
on Cary and Main streets at the close
of the war has resulted advantageously
to the city. Where there were Old and
unsightly buildings blocks of hand
some houses have been erected. 1t
was terrible blow to the propretors
who saw their possessions swept away
and the accumulations of a lifetime
converted into smoke and cinders.
But they were hopeful and patient,
and new walls of greater strength and
structures of fairer proportions now
ornament their lots and add something
to their Golfers.
IN I'll departments of business Rich
mond's growth has been wonderful aud
the profitable nature of the ventures is
shown in the lovely homes to be seen on
every residence street. in the substan
tial character Of all buildings. in the
splendid churches, in the charitable
Institutions which abound, il col
lcces and schools, in the grand drive
WAYS. parks, reservoirs, water works,
etc. There must be profitable bust
ness to warrant such outlays on private
grounds and public works. In the mat
ter Of parks Richmond viii soon bear
comparison with any city on the CONT
nent, and they have been laid out il
such manner as 10 accommodate all
portions OF the city and to meet the re.
quiroments of amuch largerpopUlation.
There is faith in Richmond's future,
and it is sure to realize the hopes and
wishes of the most saDSuine OF her
people.
There are iron furnaces, nlil-factO-
riCs. cotton and wOOl-factories, i'm
mense fiCur-mills, tobacco establish
ments by the score, and many other
industries employing thousands Of
hands and payIngou weekly large sums
of money. The products of these es-
adjustments reach all parts of the
world, as Richmond enjoys not only
first class railroad facilities, but the
heaviest-going sea-vessels land at her
wharves, and can load for any port that
has communication with the outer
world.
The old Confederate soldier who
knew Richmond twenty-odd years ago
felt for il and its heroic people the
sincerest affection and profoundest ad-
miration. There was no sacrifice so
great that it would not be made for a
wounded, sick, or disabled soldier.
The hospitals of the city had for nurses
the fairest ladies, who never wearied
in their labor of love, but from
MON to night and from night
to morn went their rounds, cheer
ing the depressed, nursing the
sick, and doing all things that gentle
ness, love, and sympathy could suggest
to restore the unfortunates to health
and duty. Prayers have been uttered
by wives, mothers. fathers, sisters, and
daughters in every southern home for
Gods richest blessings upon Richmond
and Richmond people for what was
there done for the loved and absent
ones. During all the years that have
since come and gone the same affection
is felt for the heroic city by all southern
soldiers.
Their devotion to the Confederate
soldier did not cease with the close OF
the war. 4 few undertook the estab-
lishment OF home for disabled and
helpless soldiers, and from their efforts
has grown an institution existing the
warm support of the people of the city
and aid and encouragement from many
Other portions of the Union. The home
is one of the most beautiful places in
Richmond and capable of the highest
state Of adornment and improve
ment. There are inmates from all the
southern States who are without fami-
lies or relatives and who are utterly
helpless. Life would indeed be to them
scarcely worth the living but for the
shelter and the home 10 be found in
this institution. As il is their wants are
supplied, they are well fed and COM
foitably clothed, and their declining
days are as pleasant as loving care and
Consideration can make them.
But the support of this home should
not devolve upon Richmond and Virgi-
MIA. 1t is too big an undertaking for
them, especially in view of the vast
debt pressing upon that State. Gov
ernor Lee called the attention of all the
southern Governors TO this home and
urged the recommendation Of an APP
preparation. The Alabama House OF
Representative passed the bill making
q small appropriation, but alas it died
in the Senate, as another measure
involving some recognition of dead
Confederate soldiers also ceased to live.
A number Of Alabama soldiers minus a
leg or an arm and otherwise disabled
are teDderly provided for in this home,
and yet with all the talk Of booms, of
great fortunes made, and vast increase
Of values, these men who represented
Alabama on the battle field would be